Jessi Combs, racer-TV host, killed in crash of F-104 racer

[maradamx3]

Interesting to read about the ejection seat aspect. I remember reading about Skip Holm's record breaking low altitude attempt in a 104 and something to the effect that if there was a problem, the brain wouldn't be able to react before it was over. In other words, at those speeds, you would be dead before you knew it or could try to do anything about it. Obviously the land speed cars aren't going the speeds Skip was, but relative to the speed of everyday life, I think the concept and results are the same.
In respect to the North American Eagle team, and with all due respect to the family, friends, and team members, is there still a car left to carry on a legacy or tribute? Is there anything left of the car to rebuild and dedicate to Jessi or carry on in her honor? Seems like the team was on a pretty tight budget and normally these kinds of events will bring the quest to a close. Would be great to see the team rebuild in tribute to Jessi.

[Joe Scheil]

There is nothing left of what was a land speed car. It appears the car broke up during the run and only large sections of the J-79 engine remain, as well as the wheels. There is nothing left of the

While a tribute may be appropriate, this idea perhaps is best left where it has ended and there is NO reason to build another one.

Pictures are now on the net.

https://www.tmz.com/2019/09/04/jessi-co ... ed-record/

[JohnB]

But was this the same F-104 that the late Steve Fawcett was going to use for a land speed record?

[ZRX61]

There's a report out there that she radioed she was unable to disengage the AB just before the car went into the rocks.

Those wheels in the middle of the car were added after it *kinda* broke in half at some point while this team owned it. Runs were unsanctioned because the car didn't meet LSR safety spec so the runs were only for bragging rights. The record she was trying to break was her own record in that car. The actual record is 512mph & she never went that fast.

[bdk]

Runs were unsanctioned because the car didn't meet LSR safety spec so the runs were only for bragging rights.

Any evidence for that? Sounds pretty slipshod if true.

[ZRX61]

The LSR sanctioning body (whose name I forget) refused to have anything to do with it.

[CAPFlyer]

The LSR sanctioning body (whose name I forget) refused to have anything to do with it.

I'm pretty sure the "sanctioning body" you're speaking of is either the Southern California Timing Association or the Utah Salt Flats Racing Association. However, one or both also refused to "certify" Thrust2 and ThrustSSC because the vehicles didn't meet their requirements, thus why the records set by Thrust2 and ThrustSSC were performed in the Black Rock Desert.

The FIA didn't "certify" any of the runs because none of them were absolute records. The FIA doesn't maintain separate records for women versus men officially, so you're right, they're not "official" but they are still recorded, recognized, and certified. I'm pretty sure that both Lee Breedlove, Kitty O'Neil, and Jessi Combs records were reported in the Guiness Book of World Records, which while not an FIA "International Land Speed Record", is still a recognized record.

[maradamx3]

[quote="ZRX61"]There's a report out there that she radioed she was unable to disengage the AB just before the car went into the rocks.



Certainly there would have been a fuel shutoff valve in reach.??
How much real estate was needed to get up to speed? ...to get to 512? With enough space to get shutdown? And with some margin? Did the Oregon location satisfy any or all of those?

[sandiego89]

But was this the same F-104 that the late Steve Fawcett was going to use for a land speed record?

No JohnB. Different vehicles.

Fawcett was going to use the Breedlove built Spirit of America but died in his plane crash before attempts. Rebuilt several times. Renamed Spirt of America Sonic Arrow by Fawcett. J79 engine, but believe it was a purpose built vehicle, not an aircraft fuselage.

The Combs crash in this thread involved the North American Eagle, a separate project using F-104A fuselage 56-0763.

[Decamara]

And how exactly
Would a fuel shut off stop the forward energy?

[sandiego89]

Wiki cites 4 braking systems: air brakes, high and low speed parachutes and brakes. Of course if the j79 is going at full chat (no idea if that was the case) that would not help. From the video she was going at an incredible speed and even a long lake bed would run out quickly.

Wiki:

Braking systems

Four methods were used to decelerate the vehicle. It had high-speed air brakes which were original equipment on the F-104, high-speed drogue parachutes deployed at 700 mph (1,100 km/h), and low-speed drogue parachutes deployed below 350 mph (560 km/h). The vehicle also had an anti-skid neodymium rare-earth magnet eddy-current brake.

[maradamx3]

And how exactly
Would a fuel shut off stop the forward energy?

Well, shutting off the source of acceleration might be a good first step, doncha think ?

Exactly Jim. Thanks for thinking about the situation before responding. If you don't stop the thrust first, in this case the AB as reported, then any drag device is moot.
On the braking point, wonder if any of these teams considered a braking mechanism that would "dig" into the surface? Understanding the potential risks of asymmetrical forces or yawing, or even people disregarding such a device because of the destructive result to said racing surface. Interesting topics being discussed. Good stuff.

[OD/NG]

And how exactly
Would a fuel shut off stop the forward energy?

Well, shutting off the source of acceleration might be a good first step, doncha think ?

Exactly Jim. Thanks for thinking about the situation before responding. If you don't stop the thrust first, in this case the AB as reported, then any drag device is moot.
On the braking point, wonder if any of these teams considered a braking mechanism that would "dig" into the surface? Understanding the potential risks of asymmetrical forces or yawing, or even people disregarding such a device because of the destructive result to said racing surface. Interesting topics being discussed. Good stuff.

I'll bet that a device that "digs into the surface" would probably be prohibited by the regulating body in control of that area. If I'm not mistaken, I think that area is controlled by either the BLM, or some governmental agency. If it's like other dry lake beds, use of it would probably be contingent upon not destroying or "disrupting" the natural landscape. An example of this is the annual "Burning Man" festival in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada. One of the requirements of use by festival participants it to return the area to it's natural element and not do anything that would destroy the environment. If this is anything similar, I would bet that a device of that type would be prohibited there.

[Invader26]

So sad, but one must always try to live your dreams!

None of us are getting out of this place alive...

RIP Jessi, I salute you for giving it all!

[exhaustgases]

If she had enough time to radio she had enough time to eject.